With an estimated weight of around one tonne and a half and 18 feet long, the giant crocodile got trapped in a city water canal when it came up the shore of Nilwala river in search of food.

With an estimated weight of around one tonne and a half and 18 feet long, the giant crocodile got trapped in a city water canal when it came up the shore of Nilwala river in search of food. (Source: Reuters)

Officers of the Wildlife department has recently rescued a gigantic crocodile jammed in a city water canal in Sri Lanka. The crocodile is touted to be the most colossal reptile the island has ever seen. With an estimated weight of around one tonne and a half and 18 feet long, the giant crocodile got trapped in a city water canal when it came up the shore of Nilwala river in search of food. The incident took place in the southern city of Matara, Srilanka.

People around the vicinity spotted the crocodile stuck in the canal after the water level rose and the giant animal could not get back on its own because of its huge size. After immense effort to get back into the water, the reptile could not move out of the canal and then came the Wildlife department officials to intervene. It was reported that the crocodile came out in search of food after the water level rose due to the recent heavy rains.

With the help of some town neighbours, JCB digger, a tractor and local police, the department officials were finally able to let the crocodile go back into its natural environment without any injuries.

In a similar incident, 12-feet long mugger crocodile was rescued from a local rivulet in Odisha after a six-hours of long rescue operation last month. The reptile was later taken to Nandankanan zoo for better shelter and to provide tourists a view of the rare creature after a decision by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.